NBA life agrees with rookie Alec Burks. He smiles all the time. He’s aggressive on the court. That much hasn’t changed for the former University of Colorado star.

And as luck would have it, the schedule dictated his return to the Front Range in just his second game as a pro with the Utah Jazz, which lost 117-100 Wednesday night against the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. But Burks scored 15 points in nine minutes off the bench.

Unlucky, however, was the fact that CU also played Wednesday. So it was difficult, if not impossible, for some Buffs fans to see Burks play for the Jazz. Burks understood.

“I hope more are supporting them than are supporting me,” he said before the game.

Burks, who has put on 10 pounds of muscle, said he is learning the NBA game.

“It’s going good so far,” he said. “Just learning every day, getting better.”

Burks hasn’t played much for the Jazz. But the 12th pick in this year’s NBA draft isn’t concerned about his playing time, though he admits not knowing when he will play has been his toughest adjustment so far.

“You work hard, you play,” Burks said. “That’s how it is. … You just don’t know the playing time. In college, I knew I was going to play. I knew I was going to start. Here, you have to learn what your role is.”

Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said he is pleased with what he has seen from Burks, an all- Big 12 Conference selection as a 6-foot-6 sophomore guard.

“He’s learning to play at a different level, and he’s got to do it a little more consistently,” Corbin said. “He’s a very, very versatile guy.”

For now, Burks is soaking up every minute.

“This is what I left school for eight months ago,” he said. “To live my dream.”

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